Convert Me. . .

Don't buy the cheapest from supermarket.Boots own blades were worst blades ever. This will put you off. Buy something like the highly regarded Edwin Jagger and a variety pack of blades. Connaught do these and they will arrive quickly.

Thanks. I won't touch supermarket blades then!
 
@Blackmass @Boru62 Thanks, couldn't find one DE razor in Tesco or even Boots. I have ordered the WS Classic DE razor and 20 Astra SP blades from eBay to try. All for under a tenner. Beats £15 for a months worth of 5 blade carts hands down!

Comments noted about blade sample packs, but a lot of what I have read in the blades sub-forum indicates that Astra SP is a good starter and that many stick with it anyway, so I'll see how I get on. While I wait for them to arrive I will have a go at lathering with soap & cream. . .
 
So, just had my first ever shave with a brush & tube of Arko 'ice mint' cream, instead of canned goo. I'm sure getting the lather right will take some effort, but I must say it felt fantastic to apply said mint-scented cream onto my face with the brush & feel the razor gliding through it. Definitely felt less irritation afterwards and even tried a partial XTG pass which is not something I've done before. I would like to think that if I continue shaving like this, the rash will go away before too long. Perhaps pure Aloe Vera gel will help with this. I'll probably have a good few more goes at improving the cream & brush technique before introducing a DE blade to my face.

Any good lathering tips? I seemed to make a decent amount, enough for a second pass and then some, but it did not get anywhere near as thick & creamy as I expected after seeing pics / vids, despite mixing it for a decent amount of time. I followed a tip I read in some article about putting a couple of drops of water into the bowl first. Perhaps there was either too much of this, or perhaps not enough cream to begin with. Also I used a soup-sized kitchen bowl - too big perhaps? Any help appreciated, thanks. We all have to start somewhere!
 
So, just had my first ever shave with a brush & tube of Arko 'ice mint' cream, instead of canned goo. I'm sure getting the lather right will take some effort, but I must say it felt fantastic to apply said mint-scented cream onto my face with the brush & feel the razor gliding through it. Definitely felt less irritation afterwards and even tried a partial XTG pass which is not something I've done before. I would like to think that if I continue shaving like this, the rash will go away before too long. Perhaps pure Aloe Vera gel will help with this. I'll probably have a good few more goes at improving the cream & brush technique before introducing a DE blade to my face.

Any good lathering tips? I seemed to make a decent amount, enough for a second pass and then some, but it did not get anywhere near as thick & creamy as I expected after seeing pics / vids, despite mixing it for a decent amount of time. I followed a tip I read in some article about putting a couple of drops of water into the bowl first. Perhaps there was either too much of this, or perhaps not enough cream to begin with. Also I used a soup-sized kitchen bowl - too big perhaps? Any help appreciated, thanks. We all have to start somewhere!

I add hot water to my bowl and empty. This also adds some heat to the lather. Shake the excess water from your brush. The residual water in both will be enough to get you started and you can add more....a few drops at a time if required! That is what works for me!
 
I found creating the lather the most challenging and frustrating part. I still do TBH. Every soap/cream is different. The best advice is to stick with one product, which is surprisingly harder than you think. I would suggest using a cream to begin with. They are a lot easier to work with. Don't skimp on using a lot of product. Most creams/soaps are cheap as chips. I would even suggest practicing a few times between shaves.

What sort of brush are you using? As for the size of bowl? You basically need something easy to hold and has enough room so you aren't constantly hitting the sides with the brush. You can try a large mug or even the palm of your hand.

Stick with it. This way of shaving does take time but it's all part of the funny. Give yourself a lot more time (try doubling the amount of time it usually takes) and enjoy some ‘me' time. I used to shave in the morning before work but it's just not practical so I now shave in the evenings so I have a lot more time and I'm not rushing.
 
Don't skimp on using a lot of product. Most creams/soaps are cheap as chips

I agree fully with this. With a cream, use as much as you think you need, then double it. If using a soap, load the thing for two minutes. Go bananas. Seriously, at some point soon you'll have so many soaps/creams you won't be able to get through them in ten years. In the meanwhile, get a ton of the stuff on your brush so that you can't help but develop a lather.

Once you get the hang of it, you can reduce a bit. But give yourself the joy of a good lather, then fine tune amounts. Do not be left in ANY DOUBT that you have enough product.

Still worried about cost?

1. Go and buy two palmolive sticks at ASDA/Wilko for a total of £1.
2. Press them into a bowl.
3. I challenge you to use them up by Christmas. Go on! Lather yourself senseless. You still won't get through £1 worth of soap before Santa comes down the soot funnel.
 
I found creating the lather the most challenging and frustrating part. I still do TBH. Every soap/cream is different. The best advice is to stick with one product, which is surprisingly harder than you think. I would suggest using a cream to begin with. They are a lot easier to work with. Don't skimp on using a lot of product. Most creams/soaps are cheap as chips. I would even suggest practicing a few times between shaves.

What sort of brush are you using? As for the size of bowl? You basically need something easy to hold and has enough room so you aren't constantly hitting the sides with the brush. You can try a large mug or even the palm of your hand.

Stick with it. This way of shaving does take time but it's all part of the funny. Give yourself a lot more time (try doubling the amount of time it usually takes) and enjoy some ‘me' time. I used to shave in the morning before work but it's just not practical so I now shave in the evenings so I have a lot more time and I'm not rushing.

Thanks. I've just used a basic Wilkinson Sword one from a supermarket so far. Also got one that @Digimonkey kindly sent me, not sure what it is exactly and I'm not at home to check right now, but will have a go with it soon. I soaked the brush for 10 mins before shaking out excess water & using it, but I'm sure I read somewhere since that soaking a synthetic before use each time is not necessary. Is this right?

Fortunately I have the time & space to set aside for shaving, so yes I plan to take my time. I will definitely squeeze more cream out next time! Onto the brush tips or into the bowl, does it matter?

@Blackmass love the profile pic. Big Smiths fan, reading Mozzer's autobiography now, he is a buffoon but an entertaining one!
 
You're right, you don't need to sock a synthetic brush. But I think the Wilkinson Sword Brush is actually a boar brush? You will need to soak the brush for 10 minutes in warm water if it's a boar brush. Boar brushes can be a pain in the arse to break in. I'm currently breaking in a Semogue 620 and it's taking forever. So soak it for 10 minutes to be on the safe side.

I did start off with a (Razorock) synthetic but I wasn't a fan. It didn't take me long to fall down the Badger Brush rabbit hole but (that's) for another story for another day.

As for application of the cream? It doesn't really matter but I tend to apply it straight into the brush. If you think you need more just add more to the bowl.

As for Morrissey. The love affair has been over for many years. In my Teens he was my God and idol. Now he's a bitter has-been. I heard his new single last night. It was embarrassingly poor and contrived. As for Johnny Marr. He is a God among us mere mortals and the coolest man EVER!
 
Thanks. I've just used a basic Wilkinson Sword one from a supermarket so far. Also got one that @Digimonkey kindly sent me, not sure what it is exactly and I'm not at home to check right now, but will have a go with it soon. I soaked the brush for 10 mins before shaking out excess water & using it, but I'm sure I read somewhere since that soaking a synthetic before use each time is not necessary. Is this right?

Fortunately I have the time & space to set aside for shaving, so yes I plan to take my time. I will definitely squeeze more cream out next time! Onto the brush tips or into the bowl, does it matter?

@Blackmass love the profile pic. Big Smiths fan, reading Mozzer's autobiography now, he is a buffoon but an entertaining one!

@dave79 - it's a Simpson's Case - pure badger. cheers - I.
 
Just had a look, it's a 'Vulfix Old Original pure bristle' you sent me. It has a really nice faux ivory handle! Will use this next time

Ah - fair enough - that was the wrong one I sent. I hope you enjoy it none the less. In fairness they do look a bit similar. Both are equally good starting brushes. Yours - I.
 
Ah - fair enough - that was the wrong one I sent. I hope you enjoy it none the less. In fairness they do look a bit similar. Both are equally good starting brushes. Yours - I.
I know the feeling mate, I lathered with a Semogue 20102 on SotD recently :p:p
Great Pif BTW.
You're a credit to TSR, no, to the niche world of traditional shaving (doffs imaginary cap).
 
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